Custom cage tutorial

Okay guys. For those who are less fortunate with building things. I decided on the cage I'm building at the moment to make a tutorial.

Cage demotion: 48"x24"x18"
Total cost: In the $70's
Supplies that I had to buy:
1/2" MDF Plank - $15.59
32"x14" Window - $13.49
6'x9' Roll of Linoleum - $16.97
Vinyl Adhesive - $6.97
Trowel - $2.99
1" Drywall Screws - $3.82
Undereave Vent - $1.49
Supplies I had around the house (may be added to in the future):
1 gallon Bear Paint - $10
Sealant - $2.99
Screw drivers
Jig saw
1" Drill bit
Drill bits
Pliers

Supply pictures (not all supplies are shown below)

From left to right - 1" drywall screws, trowel, vinyl adhesive
user posted image
From left to right - 1" drywall screws, trowel, vinyl adhesive, undereave vent
user posted image
36"x18" Window
user posted image
user posted image
Linoleum 6'x9' roll (picture card was bad so the pictures color turned out bad)


8'x4' Plank cut into 5 pieces.
1. 48" x 24"
2. 48" x 24"
3. 48" x 18" - will be cut into 2 pieces of 24" x 18" for the sides (ends) of the cage.
4. 46" x 18"
5. 48" x 12" - scrap. Can be used for a lip in the front of the cage or a shelf inside.

This was only some supplies, there are still other supplies not pictured
First step in the process.
1. Before you get start, unroll the linoleum and place on a flat, hard, clean, substrate. Weight it down in order to get rid of all the roll in the sheet. Top side is best facing downward. Wait a few hours (or even 24 hours for best results) in order for it to be ready to use.
2. While the lenolium is flattening out, you can be some other things in order to get things started. On the window, you must remove the screen in order to use the window as the main entrance of the cage. You can do this by pull up the edges of the screen with a pair of pliers. Its best to removed the glass before you go yanking at the window.
3. Cut the planks of MDF into the certain measurements you want. I chose a 48" x 24" x 18" cage. Above you will find each planks measurements. You may prime the planks to start if you want. The side with where the linoleum is being placed does not need to be primed, sealed, or painted. The other side can be, but its a preference. In this order is the best way to paint the outsides of the planks. Prime once(1), paint once (1), paint twice (2), seal once (1), seal twice (2), seal three times (3, isn't needed but is nice to have).
Linoleum placement, cutting, and glueing.
Once the linoleum has flattened out, you may now start the process of glueing on the linoleum to the wood, but theres a few steps before this you have to do.

1. Line up the wood planks onto the linoleum in order to find out the best way to cut out the linoleum. Once you have found the right 'pattern' or 'puzzle' the hard process comes in.
2. Make sure to line up the edges of the flattened linoleum with the cut planks of wood. This makes sure when you cut the linoleum patterns out that you get nice even cuts. Once you have the wood lined up, trace a pencil line around the outsides of the wood. Label the wood and the linoleum pattern for future glue. (*hint: Right the number on the wood the same direction as the letter on the linoleum pattern, this way it will line up correctly when gluing)

3. Take off the wood plank and set it aside. Now you can take your handy dandy cutting tool and carefully cut out the lines you drew. Its best to use a sharp blade when cutting to make the cuts even and perfect. Once you have successfully cut it out, set the cut out piece of linoleum ontop of the plank and set it aside. Once all the patterns are cut out, move to the next step.
4. Take a dry cloth and wipe all the pieces of wood and cut out pieces of linoleum really well. This way no dust or debree are on the places you will glue.
5. Time for the gluing. This can be tricking, but after the first plank and linoleum are glued, you'll get the hang of it. Trawel the glue onto the wood, then place the cut out linoleum pattern ontop of the wood. (Hints, when traweling the glue, make sure you dont get to much around the edges, this will cause oozing of the glue. Stay at least .5 of an inch away from the outsides of the wood with the glue.) Once you have layed the linoleum on top of the gluey wood, use a rolling pen to get out all the air bubbles underneath the linoleum. If any glue oozes out the sides, take a damp paper towel and whipe off the access glue. **Important: Once the glue is placed onto the wood, you only have 15 minutes in order to put on the linoleum.**
6. When all the pannels of wood are glued to the linoleum, place in an area where they will not be walked on, bumped, and make SURE they have venhilation. This is a big deal. Some glues may not smell bad, but still may have fumes. We don't want your house to go 'Ka-Boom'... Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before the next step.